Round Up: ASDA League One

Beddau turned the promotion race in ASDA Leagues One East on its head with a 29-3 win over rivals Bargoed that saw them storm to the top of the table.

The Rhondda club took advantage of Newbridge having the day off to overtake the long-time leaders on points difference and turn up the heat in the push for the Principality Premiership.

Beddau scored four tries including one from their player-coach and former Pontypridd fullback Brett Davey, who added nine more points with the boot and has guided his young team to a new high. Davey said: "It's the first time we have been at the top of the table and it's a great feeling but we taking nothing for granted. We've really got into our stride now and we're on a good run but we're not looking too far ahead because that's when you slip up.

"For us it's just about going out there and enjoying the game by throwing the ball around. However, coming out of the wet winter top of the table is a great position because I'm sure the dry pitches will suit our open style."

Beddau had to dig deep against the league's early leaders and a bad tempered clash saw both sides reduced to fourteen men in the first half after Dean Barnes was sent off for stamping and Bargoed's Anthony Lott was also given his marching orders, for punching. The extra space suited Beddau as Davey, flanker Robert Jones, lock Damien Adams and left wing Dan Meredith all went over in a second-half blitz to go top.

Pontypool kept their promotion hopes alive with a 26-16 win over Abercynon to remain just three points off the leaders, centre Richie Jenkins and wing Richie Denington both crossed twice.

UWIC won 36-21 at bottom club Ystrad Rhondda with John Webbe scoring two of the students' six tries while Sam Osborne added eleven points. Newport Saracens survived a second-half comeback at Blackwood to run out 20-15 winners.

ASDA League One West leaders Bonymaen took a major step closer to promotion by opening a five-point lead at the top of the table with a 22-13 win at second-placed Bridgend Athletic; Michael Harvey, Paul Warlow, David Absalom and Iwa Hopkins scored the tries.

Strugglers Builth Wells gave their survival hopes a major boost with a thrilling 18-17 win at Llangennech. Fly half John Thurston proved a match-winner with the first of his team's three tries, as well as eight points with the boot, as Builth drew level with Waurnarlwydd, who lost 31-7 at home to Merthyr.

Fellow strugglers Loughor also picked the right day to produce only their fifth win of the season, 16-15 over Whitland, thanks to tries from Jason Howells and Mark O'Kelly to keep a three-point cushion above the bottom two.

Merthyr secured the league and cup double on Saturday after adding the Principality Premiership title with one game to spare, just two weeks after lifting the National Cup title at Principality Stadium.

More than 50 school, college, club, social and representative teams from all over Wales enjoyed one of the best experiences of their lives over the last fortnight, playing a final or community match on the Principality Stadium pitch.

The WRU Plate final had a lot to live up to after a stunning Bowl final, but Brynmawr and Nant Conwy produced another corker. The north Walians saw their 19-7 lead evaporate as Brynmawr stormed to a 50-29 victory

Porthcawl and Pembroke served up a real thriller in the WRU Bowl final at Principality Stadium on Sunday. Pembroke trailed 27-5 before staging a remarkabe comeback but Porthcawl had the final say with an injury time penalty to earn a 33-31 victory.

Nant Conwy head coach Kevin Thomas and Ifan Jones look forward to Sunday's WRU National Plate final where they say it is a 'massive day out for the club and community' as they prepare to tackle Brynmawr at Principality Stadium

Merthyr coach Dale McIntosh and second row Craig Locke look to draw on their experiences playing in the WRU National Cup Final to help Merthyr lift the title for the first time this Sunday when they face Newport at Principality Stadium.

More than 250 members of Girlguiding Cymru recently added a Rugby Participation Badge to their collection by taking part in a fun festival at Cardiff Met. The WRU is working with Girlguiding Cymru to provide new opportunities for girls and make connections with the girls-only rugby clusters around Wales.